A 'Hanok Classroom' to Be Built at Jeongsu Elementary School in Jeongneung, Seoul

Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education and Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Introduce New Hanok-Style Educational Facilities

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] For the first time in Seoul, a 'Hanok Classroom' will be established on an elementary school playground.

On the 24th, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Hanok Classroom at Jeongsu Elementary School located in Jeongneung-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, and announced plans to complete it by the end of August. The Seoul Office of Education is providing the site and part of the project budget for the Hanok Classroom, while the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is responsible for the entire design and construction.

This project was prepared by the Seoul Office of Education, which has been promoting the 'School Space Restructuring Project' since 2017, to provide teachers and students with differentiated educational spaces featuring eco-friendliness and traditional elements by integrating Hanok architecture into educational facilities.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Korea Agency for Infrastructure Technology Advancement proposed this as part of the Hanok technology research and development project. In 2018, Jeongsu Elementary School was selected as the construction site through a public contest by the Seoul Office of Education, and planning and design were completed last year.

The Hanok Classroom is designed to connect with the existing school facilities and consists of a two-story main building used as a library, a single-story Sarangchae used for special activities, and a front corridor serving as the main passageway connecting the entire structure.

The Seoul Office of Education's Educational Space Design Team, Seoul National University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation, Daeyeon Architects Office, Kuna Urban Architecture Research Institute, Hyun Young Construction, and Dongyang Mirae University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation, who were in charge of planning, design, and construction, have worked to expand interest in the Hanok Classroom and share project progress through special lectures and classes for students, making it an open project 'created together.'

The Seoul Office of Education expects this Hanok Classroom to serve as a new vitality for educational sites facing difficulties due to declining student numbers, while providing students with opportunities to experience traditional architecture daily at school, such as healthy classrooms using wood, comfortable floor-seating spaces, and an open library close to the yard.

Cho Hee-yeon, Superintendent of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, said, "Since the Jeongsu Elementary Hanok Classroom is the result of collaboration between Hanok technology experts and school members, I hope that Hanok architecture will be introduced and expanded to other educational facilities in Seoul based on its usability and educational effectiveness after completion."